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1.4.4.1 - Tasks

Interactive Audio Lesson

Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.

Eliciting Requirements

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Teacher
Teacher

Let's start with eliciting requirements. Who can tell me why identifying stakeholders is crucial in a business analysis project?

Student 1
Student 1

Um, I think it's important because stakeholders are the people who will be affected by the project, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Stakeholders provide valuable insights about their needs and expectations. Remember the acronym RACI? It stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed. This helps us categorize their involvement.

Student 2
Student 2

So, how do we actually conduct these interviews?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! For mock interviews, you can create scenarios that guide conversations. This allows you to draft personas to better understand their perspectives.

Student 3
Student 3

What if we can't get real stakeholders to interview?

Teacher
Teacher

In that case, using fictional personas based on research can still help you practice eliciting requirements. Let's take it step by step. What documents do we need from this phase?

Student 4
Student 4

We need a stakeholder list, interview notes, and a stakeholder requirement summary.

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! To sum up, identifying stakeholders and gathering their requirements is the first, crucial step in your project.

Documenting Requirements

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, let's move on to documenting requirements. Why is the INVEST criteria important for writing user stories?

Student 1
Student 1

It makes sure the stories are Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, Estimable, Small, and Testable?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! This framework ensures that the user stories are manageable and can easily be understood. Now, when we talk about acceptance criteria, does anyone remember the Gherkin format?

Student 2
Student 2

It's the Given-When-Then format, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! It sets a clear context for testing. Can you provide an example of a user story using this format?

Student 4
Student 4

Sure! 'As a customer, I want to add items to my shopping cart so that I can finalize my purchase.'

Teacher
Teacher

Great example! Lastly, categorizing requirements ensures that we clearly define business, functional, and non-functional aspects. Why might that matter?

Student 3
Student 3

It helps prioritize what is most critical for the project.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Understanding which requirements are business-critical helps in creating an effective Requirement Traceability Matrix.

Modeling the System

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Teacher
Teacher

Next, let’s discuss modeling the system. Who can explain what a Use Case Diagram is?

Student 1
Student 1

It shows how users interact with the system and what functionalities they can access?

Teacher
Teacher

Precisely! It's a visual representation of user interactions. Now, what about Activity Diagrams? How do they differ from Use Case Diagrams?

Student 2
Student 2

Activity diagrams show the flow of actions, including all possible paths a user can take while using the system.

Teacher
Teacher

Fantastic! They depict the workflow for various scenarios a user might encounter. Lastly, let's talk about wireframes. Can anyone share why wireframes are essential?

Student 3
Student 3

They provide a visual representation of the user interface and help in understanding the layout before development.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Wireframes guide design and development. Summarizing today’s lesson: Use Case and Activity diagrams help illustrate the system behavior, while wireframes assist in UI design.

Testing Planning and Presentation

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Teacher
Teacher

Now let’s talk about testing planning. Why is it beneficial to write test cases?

Student 1
Student 1

It ensures that the requirements we documented can be verified.

Teacher
Teacher

Great point! Mapping test cases back to requirements in your Requirement Traceability Matrix allows for better tracking. What’s the last part of the project we need to focus on?

Student 4
Student 4

Presenting our findings!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Your presentation should summarize the business problem, explain the solution scope, show user stories, diagrams, and outline next steps. What’s one tip for engaging your audience during a presentation?

Student 2
Student 2

Use visuals and keep it concise to maintain interest.

Teacher
Teacher

Spot on! Engaging presentations are crucial for effective communication. To summarize, testing and presenting are essential steps that not only validate your project but also showcase it to others.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section provides a comprehensive overview of the tasks involved in preparing a mini-project focused on an online grocery ordering system, guiding learners through the complete lifecycle of a Business Analyst assignment.

Standard

The section outlines the objectives, phases, and key tasks required to develop a business analysis deliverable pack for an online grocery ordering system. It covers requirement elicitation, documentation, system modeling, testing planning, and presentation of findings effectively for learners simulating a real-world business analysis project.

Detailed

Tasks

This section delves into the various tasks involved in a capstone-style activity designed to simulate a real-world Business Analyst (BA) project centered around an Online Grocery Ordering System. This system allows customers to browse products, add items to a cart, place orders, and schedule deliveries. The aim is to produce a comprehensive business analysis deliverable pack that consolidates skills both learned and practiced throughout the course.

Objective

The main objective is to prepare and present a complete business analysis deliverable pack for the defined case scenario by leveraging all responsive techniques.

Suggested Case Scenario

  • Project: Online Grocery Ordering System (Mini Minimum Viable Product)
  • Problem Statement: A local grocery chain aims to launch a web-based application for customers.

Phases & Deliverables

The project is broken down into five distinct phases, each with designated tasks and deliverables:

Phase 1: Elicit Requirements

Tasks:
- Identify stakeholders, such as customers, store staff, delivery teams, and admin.
- Conduct mock interviews or develop stakeholder personas.
- Create a stakeholder matrix (RACI).

Deliverables:
- Stakeholder List & Roles
- Interview Notes / Persona Profiles
- Stakeholder Requirement Summary

Phase 2: Document Requirements

Tasks:
- Write user stories using the INVEST criteria.
- Define acceptance criteria using Gherkin format.
- Categorize requirements into business, functional, and non-functional.
- Develop a Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM).

Deliverables:
- User Stories Document
- Acceptance Criteria Sheet
- Business Requirement Document (BRD) or Functional Requirement Document (FRD)
- RTM

Phase 3: Model the System

Tasks:
- Create Use Case and Activity Diagrams.
- Design Wireframes or Mockups.

Deliverables:
- Use Case Diagram
- Activity Diagram
- Low-fidelity Wireframes (for 2–3 key screens)

Phase 4: Test Planning (Optional)

Tasks:
- Write test cases and map them to requirements.
- Identify sample defects from testing.

Deliverables:
- Test Case Table
- Defect Log (optional)

Phase 5: Presentation & Review

Tasks:
- Create a concise summary presentation.
- Present your project outcomes to peers or mentor.

Deliverables:
- Slide Deck (PPT/PDF)
- Optionally, a video walkthrough

Through these structured tasks, learners will not only engage in practical application but will also develop critical skills essential for a successful career in business analysis.

Audio Book

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Phase 1: Elicit Requirements

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🎯 Tasks:
● Identify stakeholders (e.g., customers, store staff, delivery team, admin)
● Conduct 2–3 mock interviews or prepare stakeholder personas
● Create a stakeholder matrix (with RACI if possible)
📄 Deliverables:
● Stakeholder List & Roles
● Interview Notes / Persona Profiles
● Stakeholder Requirement Summary

Detailed Explanation

In this phase, the goal is to gather all necessary information from individuals involved in or impacted by the project. The first task is to identify who the stakeholders are, which can include customers, grocery store staff, the delivery team, and administrative personnel. The next step involves conducting mock interviews or preparing personas that represent the various stakeholders to better understand their needs and expectations. Lastly, creating a stakeholder matrix, which may use RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) principles, helps to clarify the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in relation to the project.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you are throwing a birthday party. Before planning, you need to consider who will be involved—friends, family, and even the venue staff. You might talk to your friends to understand what kind of activities they'd enjoy (the mock interviews) and write down their preferences. Then, you create a list indicating who is responsible for what—who brings snacks, who handles decorations, and so on, similar to the stakeholder matrix.

Phase 2: Document Requirements

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🎯 Tasks:
● Write 5–8 user stories using INVEST format
● Define acceptance criteria using Gherkin (Given–When–Then)
● Categorize requirements: business, functional, non-functional
● Create a Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM)
📄 Deliverables:
● User Stories Document
● Acceptance Criteria Sheet
● BRD or FRD (can be simplified)
● RTM in Excel or Table format

Detailed Explanation

During this phase, the focus shifts to documenting the gathered requirements in a clear and structured manner. User stories are written, which should follow the INVEST criteria (Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, Estimable, Small, Testable). Additionally, each user story should have acceptance criteria defined in Gherkin format (Given-When-Then), which helps to specify the conditions for satisfying the user stories. Requirements are categorized into business, functional, and non-functional to ensure comprehensive understanding and coverage. Lastly, a Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM) captures the relationship between requirements and other deliverables, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

Examples & Analogies

Think of this phase like writing a recipe for a cake. Each user story is akin to a specific ingredient, such as flour or sugar. You need to ensure that each ingredient is measured correctly (like defining acceptance criteria). Additionally, you categorize ingredients into dry and wet; this is similar to how requirements are categorized into business and functional. Finally, the RTM is like a checklist to ensure you gather all ingredients needed for your cake before you start baking.

Phase 3: Model the System

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🎯 Tasks:
● Draw Use Case Diagram for order placement
● Draw Activity Diagram for customer flow (browse → checkout)
● Create Wireframes or Mockups (use Draw.io, Balsamiq, or Figma)
📄 Deliverables:
● Use Case Diagram
● Activity Diagram
● Low-fidelity Wireframes (for 2–3 key screens)

Detailed Explanation

In this phase, the focus is on visualizing the system through diagrams and models. A Use Case Diagram is created to represent how users will interact with the order placement feature, highlighting the relationships between different actors (users) and the system. An Activity Diagram illustrates the workflow of a customer as they navigate through the site from browsing to checkout, showcasing all possible actions. Finally, Wireframes or Mockups are designed to provide a visual layout of the key screens, helping stakeholders visualize the final product before it is developed.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you're designing a new house. The Use Case Diagram is like a blueprint showing where different rooms (like the kitchen, living room) are and how people will move between them. The Activity Diagram represents the journey of a person from entering the house to sitting down for dinner. Finally, Wireframes are like sketches of your house, outlining what each room will look like before you actually bring in the furniture.

Phase 4: Test Planning (Optional)

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🎯 Tasks:
● Write 3–5 test cases
● Map them to requirements in RTM
● Identify a sample defect (if any) from testing
📄 Deliverables:
● Test Case Table (ID, Steps, Expected Result)
● Defect Log (Optional, for extra challenge)

Detailed Explanation

This optional phase involves preparing for testing the developed system to ensure it functions as intended. Writing test cases, which outline specific scenarios to verify each requirement, is essential. These test cases are then mapped to the requirements in the RTM to ensure every requirement has corresponding tests. If any defects are found during testing, they should be documented in a defect log for further analysis and resolution.

Examples & Analogies

Think of this phase as quality control in a factory. Just as a factory might set up tests for each product to check if it's made correctly (test cases), the company will track any defects found during testing so they can be corrected. For instance, if a car leaves an assembly line with a scratch, it’s noted in a defect log to ensure it gets fixed before the car is sold.

Phase 5: Presentation & Review

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🎯 Tasks:
● Create a summary presentation (6–8 slides max)
● Include business problem, solution scope, user stories, diagrams, and next steps
● Present your project to peers or mentor (live or recorded)
📄 Deliverables:
● Slide Deck (PDF or PPT)
● Optionally, record a 5-minute video walkthrough

Detailed Explanation

The final phase is about summarizing and presenting all the work that has been completed. The presentation should encapsulate the business problem, the proposed solution, the user stories, essential diagrams, and the next steps moving forward. This not only demonstrates what has been accomplished but also provides an opportunity for feedback and discussion. Deliverables include a succinct slide deck and an optional video walkthrough that showcases the key aspects of the project.

Examples & Analogies

Consider this phase like summarizing a book report. You need to condense the story, main themes, and character analyses into a few clear slides that can be easily presented to classmates. A teacher might ask for a quick video to explain your thoughts on the book. The summary captures both the main points and leaves space for classmates to ask questions about your insights.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Requirement Elicitation: The process of gathering information about the needs and requirements from stakeholders.

  • User Stories: A method for expressing software requirements in a clear and concise manner.

  • INVEST Criteria: A guideline for writing effective user stories: Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, Estimable, Small, and Testable.

  • Test Case Development: The practice of designing test cases to verify that system requirements are met.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • A user story example: 'As an online shopper, I want to view products by category so that I can save time.'

  • A Use Case Diagram example depicting a customer logging in, browsing items, and placing an order.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • When you gather needs, be sure to take heed, RACI helps guide who plants the seed.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a baker who wishes to streamline their orders. They create user stories to clarify requirements, ensuring that every cupcake and cookie fits customers' desires.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember INVEST: Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, Estimable, Small, Testable.

🎯 Super Acronyms

Use the acronym UAC for diagrams

  • User interactions
  • Actions performed
  • and Contextual layout.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Elicit

    Definition:

    To draw out information from stakeholders regarding system requirements.

  • Term: User Story

    Definition:

    A brief statement that captures a software feature from the perspective of its end user.

  • Term: INVEST

    Definition:

    An acronym that stands for Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, Estimable, Small, and Testable, aiding in writing effective user stories.

  • Term: Gherkin

    Definition:

    A format used to write acceptance criteria using 'Given-When-Then' structure.

  • Term: Use Case Diagram

    Definition:

    A visual representation showing how users interact with a system.

  • Term: Activity Diagram

    Definition:

    A flowchart that represents the flow of activities in a process.

  • Term: Wireframes

    Definition:

    Visual guides that represent the skeletal framework of a digital application.

  • Term: Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM)

    Definition:

    A document that maps and traces user requirements to their test cases.